What is it about?
This article examines a southern Italian piece of folklore which constitutes evidence in support of the idea that people, irrespective of background, do not aimlessly assemble meaningless verbal constructions, borrowing items of folklore simply because those items are popular or widespread. Rather, people borrow items of folklore because the items in question serve a purpose.
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Why is it important?
This article exemplifies how meaning and perceived benefit dictate which items of folklore are adopted and propagated. This has major implications for understanding human and social behaviour.
Perspectives
If my research experience has taught me anything is that there is nothing random or aimless about human behaviour, especially when it comes to choosing which elements of folklore to maintain, practise and propagate.
Dr Liberata Luciani
Monash University
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This page is a summary of: Borrowed, Not Fabricated: The Valley of ‘Gesufà’ in the Sicilian Prayer ‘U Vebbu’, Folklore, December 2013, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/0015587x.2013.812416.
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